The Official Shield Thread.

[RugbyFuture]

I can try and see what I can do, maybe turn it into a black/white image so if they need to engrave or burn it in its easier. but we should probably get a better image I would say.

So task:

find a better image of huddled players - preferably from australia

 

[RugbyReg]

this close up of the RS seems to show just the winning team and the year on it. Happy with that as a way forward.

 

[Scoey]

Yeah I agree. The number of defences will be recorded in the annals of history (read: Wikipedia) anyway. The thing that matters is when you win the actual thing.

 

[RugbyReg]

any one dealt with the Mens Shed at all? I've just sent a note to them seeing if its a project they could get behind. Timing forever a concern.

 

[Scoey]

So task:

find a better image of huddled players - preferably from australia

Obviously best if we can use an existing image but this is probably something that could be set up, if need be? Ie put out a call for players (subbies, prems, whatever) to turn up to Ballymore one day and have someone handy with a camera take a few snaps.

 

[RugbyFuture]

after speaking with Reg about how to go about this with a trophy maker trying to go standard shapes and woods etc heres an idea for people's consideration.

 

[Sully]

That's bloody good.

 

[kiap]

Otherwise revert to one of my original ideas from earlier in the thread.?

I reckon build on this idea, which was a good one.

Keep it simple and don't put a photo on - it will only detract from it. I also don't think that the design should be specified down to the last millimetre. Give an outline design brief to the maker (someone from men's shed ?) and then liaise with them back and forth and let them fine tune it.

1. Start off with one of Scoey's burls (polished up):

• This is probably the most important bit of the job. A quality piece of timber will be the most visible difference between a solid custom trophy, and a cheap off-the-shelf job.
• It should be about the size of a t-shirt, without any structural weaknesses and solid (two inches thick IMO - if weight is a problem then rout out half an inch from the back like this, golf club style). A roughly symmetrical shape with the heartwood positioned near the centre of the shield.

2. It needs a centrepiece. For illustrative purposes I've nicked this one from the JJ Giltinan Sheild, but only because it's simple oval ball plus laurel wreath. The exact design could be something else and possibly purchased as an off-the-shelf option to save time and money - so long as it's good durable plated metal and not cheap plastic, etc. It doesn't need to be an ornate sculpture.​

3. Add on the "furniture". Again, the little name plate shields can be off-the-shelf (but quality plated metal).

• Add the shield name (e.g. engraved in the wood and made black)
• These "shields" are meant to be emblematic of battlefield shields so I've even added some "embossments" to the picture above - short metal tags from rugby boots. But this sort of detail is something to discuss with the maker.
• That's it - It's the Log o' Wood.

As an option you could put a smooth bevelled edge on the timber to make it a more conventional symmetrical shield (as below). But I don't think it's as good as the natural tree edge. It loses the "custom" feel and is less of a "Log" of Wood.

Spoiler

 

[RugbyFuture]

The only problem we have is getting it to market in time, we have less than 8 weeks to make it and get it down to the rising in time. I agree with you on a number of counts, but if we keep it that simple shape up there a trophy maker could prepare it and have it done in expedited time one would think, opposed to the custom work we're trying to do. It keeps a uniqueness about it but makes it easier to produce.

hopefully it won't be the log'o'wood and will develop its own nickname in time.

 

[kiap]

hopefully it won't be the log'o'wood and will develop its own nickname in time.

Fair call.

keep it that simple shape up there a trophy maker could prepare it and have it done in expedited time one would think.

If you want to go "off-the-shelf", then there are plenty of off-the-shelf shapes. The trophy maker will just pull out a template for one of a multitude.

The shape in my final pic above is an example. They make hundreds of blanks like that, automatically cut by machine. With some places, you can even click some menus to design the whole trophy on the web and they'll courier it to you within 14 days.

 

[Scoey]

Just an update. I'm having trouble getting in touch with my Dad. Out of phone range I assume.

With regard to off the shelf or bespoke: what is more important? Getting it ready for round 1 or having something that is unique/individual?

I would say the latter for mine. If the trophy doesn't have any soul, or is just a generic looking shield then it runs the risk of blending in with all the other trophies out there. We want this one to stand out. To be one of a kind. To have a story behind it. To have some history.
Just my 2c.

If time is getting away from us though, I'm more than ok with other people trying to source a nice burl that the owner is willing to donate! Once on the road, Mum and Dad have a habit of getting waylaid. I'll continue to try and get one until I hear someone else has though. Just sayin.

 

[kiap]

With regard to off the shelf or bespoke: what is more important? Getting it ready for round 1 or having something that is unique/individual?

I would say the latter for mine. If the trophy doesn't have any soul, or is just a generic looking shield then it runs the risk of blending in with all the other trophies out there. We want this one to stand out. To be one of a kind. To have a story behind it. To have some history.
Just my 2c.

With you on this. Try for something unique.

I'm an amateur on crafts, but once all the materials are sourced, the job should be fairly straight forward for someone skilled with a lathe, router and grinder with a polishing attachment.

The design shouldn't really be too complicated when you're attaching stuff to wood. Quality materials plus a good craftsman will produce a good result.

The main thing is teeing it up (getting the money, materials and maker organised in a relatively short time).

On a side note, the Ranfurly took a couple of years for the first Shield match to happen. Should be able to beat that.

 

[RugbyFuture]

It's probably best to find a balance of both, the oval shape may not seem unique to you because its so simple, however its a unique shape compared to any other shield shape I've found except for one random shield I found in scotland. If its an ornate shield shape it will be just another ornate shield. Ornate shields have a certain singularity about them and if you were to put alot of effort in to make it unique you would most likely end up with a trophy.

It has a resemblance to a rugby ball too obviously and then the brass band across it is also not something you'll find often as most shields have the single central guard in them in ornate. By having the band it also gives us the opportunity to have enough space to tell a story or the rules on the front as well as a distinct masculinity and earthiness.

In a perfect world it would be a convex shape as well to give it a unique shape, this would also give an opportunity if we could manage it to put an engraving on the inside of all the people who funded the shield.

The engraving is still of the huddle because I believe it embodies the spirit of rugby and brotherhood.

Sorry if I sound like a wank, its my inner designer coming out.

 

[RugbyReg]

Guys I work full time and have 4 kids. Im flat out. Im trying to take to lead on this because it's been talked about for a year now and nothing has happened. Things are happening now and I'm working to the season kick off time frame.

I'm and genuinely opening the design and build of the trophy up to someone to take an run with.

Kiap are you keen? Great ideas but let's make it happen right?

I'm happy to keep doing what I'm doing and do my best to keep people updated. But in the end decisions have to be made

 

[RugbyFuture]

Does Gagger have a dedicated account for GaGR that we could funnel funds to? Then we can start fundraising and finalise the rules too.

In terms of rules I say just go by ranfurly shield rules.

 

[kiap]

Guys I work full time and have 4 kids. Im flat out. Im trying to take to lead on this because it's been talked about for a year now and nothing has happened. Things are happening now and I'm working to the season kick off time frame.

Mate, you're doing a good job. Someone had to step in IMO. Keep going with it if you can - and as the go-forward man you get to make the calls.

I'm and genuinely opening the design and build of the trophy up to someone to take an run with.

Kiap are you keen? Great ideas but let's make it happen right?

I'm happy to keep doing what I'm doing and do my best to keep people updated. But in the end decisions have to be made

Thanks, although the build would be above my skill level unless I had plenty of help from a shed. And being on a travelling roadshow limits when and where I can be. Whilst keen, I'm not in.

Besides, I don't want to cramp RugbyFuture's style as he's come up with some good suggestions as a design brief.

The issue all along with making this thing happen is that the order of business has been arse about. The 4Ms should be money, maker, materials and then markup instead of the other way around.

The way I see it, one RugbyReg is best-placed to be moving this trophy commissioning forward - I'm good at seeing these things.

Equally, the best-placed person to progress the fine details of the trophy design itself is not on this thread. That will be the maker. Find someone who can make the shield and give him the (general) design brief. Don't tell him what to build until he tells you what he can build. Take that input; tap that knowledge. You then pick an option and sign off (i.e. pay).

 

[kiap]

It's probably best to find a balance of both, the oval shape may not seem unique to you because its so simple, however its a unique shape compared to any other shield shape I've found except for one random shield I found in scotland. If its an ornate shield shape it will be just another ornate shield.

If you mean filigreed or mouthed shapes, then yeah, it's just more off-the-shelf.

But to get both oval shape + natural edge, cut on the oblique:

 

[RugbyFuture]

finding a custom log of wood though, just to do that (and any reason outside of a trophy maker), seems difficult.

 

[kiap]

finding a custom log of wood though, just to do that (and any reason outside of a trophy maker), seems difficult.

I'm just stirring you a bit now.

They don't actually need to do that to get the egg shapes.

 

[Pfitzy]

RF only believes in perfectly round trees. That's what his Nintendo shows him.